Starting the Fun Run in Honor of Sam Henke

Sam Henke with wife, Amy
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Sam's Striders
Achievements Gold Medal Gold Medal Fundraising Status Personal Gift Has made a donation to this event
My Progress Goal: $3,000.00 Achieved: $2,145.00	Fundraising Honor Roll United Heartland Community Relations Committee $750.00 Grandma Helen $200.00 Mary & Scott Schaefer $100.00 Packer Dave and Phyllis Tausend $100.00 Sandra Van Auken $50.00 Annette LeRoy $50.00 Anonymous $50.00 Heltemes $50.00 Sandy H $50.00 Greg Donovan $50.00 Penny Garza $50.00 Rick Hobbs $50.00 Janine Tracy $40.00 Anonymous $30.00 Chris $25.00 Mike $25.00 Rick Bartelme $25.00 Erin Wille $25.00 lindsay adams $25.00 Dave Orlowski $25.00 Lois & Edward Schaefer $25.00 Tom Vanderbusch $25.00 Pattie Millot $25.00 Tiffany Hopper $25.00 Katie Ziegenhorn $25.00 John & Priscilla Strasser $25.00 Kristina Neesam $25.00 Carrie Kowalski $25.00 Tom Yoss $25.00 Anonymous $25.00 Jason Hakow $25.00 Art Ketchman $25.00 Renee Destrampe $25.00 Anonymous $20.00 Anonymous $15.00 Anonymous $15.00

As a participant in the Liver Life Walk/ Fun Run, I'm helping to move forward the fight against liver disease and I need your help! 

Sam Henke was diagnosed with liver disease just three months ago.  Prior to that, he was a healthy and active individual.  Sam played soccer from his early childhood days all the way through his college career.  He would later go on to coach several boys and girls soccer teams in the Milwaukee area.  Sam liked to golf and participated in many sports and sporting events.  It was known by all who met him that the Badgers were "his" team and there was no way that he would miss watching a game. 

Sam was one of kind.  His ability to make anyone smile was a gift that he had. He was an ever so caring person and anyone who came in contact with him was touched by his kindness and warm heart.  I met Sam in 2005 and knew right away that he was a great guy. He introduced me to his girlfriend, Amy, who would later on become his wife.  Amy and I became very good friends throughout the years and I am ever so thankful that Sam introduced me to her.  They were wed in the summer of 2011. 

Throughout his fight, Sam endured severe liver and kidney complications along with several respiratory infections.  He had been in and out of the ICU unit at Froedert Hospital throughout his fight. Amy, along with his family were by his side throughout it all.  On the morning of January 2nd, the Lord saw fit to put an end to Sam's suffering and welcomed him Home. Sam Henke passed away at the young age of 29.

Seeing Amy go through this has been a struggle of mine. As her friend I wanted to do anything that could take a little bit of her pain away and let her know how many people care for her and the Henke family. I reached out to the American Liver Foundation and they graciously sat down with me and listened to their story.  Amy, many of Sam's family members and friends, and myself included are all runners.  What better way to honor Sam than through a run?  The foundation listened to my ideas and gave me the opportunity to start a fun run in conjunction with their annual walk.  I could not be more thankful and excited for this opportunity.

Please come along with me on this journey!  I am asking for participants to be a part of my team, walking and running to make a difference in liver disease research. The event will be held on July 27, 2013 at Veteran's Park. The run is a three mile fun run and you are able to do the walk instead if running is not your thing.  You can also donate to my page in order to make a difference in liver disease education and research.  Come show your love and support to the Henke and Spitzack families in this incredibly tough time.  

Every step I take and every dollar I raise will make a difference in the lives of the 30 million Americans living with liver disease. By making a donation on my behalf, you will be helping the American Liver Foundation provide community-based education and prevention programs, protect the rights of people with liver disease, and fund critical research.

By making a donation you'll take me one step closer to my goal and take all of us another stride closer to a world free of liver disease!

Donating is easy! Just click the "Sponsor Me" button to get started!   I thank you in advance to everyone that participates in this event.  Please contact me with any questions. I will be contacting everyone letting them know further details down the line and about t-shirts that will be made for Sam's Striders.  

Godspeed and know that you are making a huge impact on anyone diagnosed with liver disease.

Melissa Schaefer 

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